Messi pays price for win against Almeria

That game makes it seven wins in seven games. And it served to extend the record of merits that Barcelona has accumulated in recent years. It was not easy to win against a well-positioned Almería defensively, but the club precipitated by building on their counterattacks.

Neymar was rested and Messi was handed one of those days where he seems the only one able to open up the way toward a goal. With his team lost in some useless passing to each other, which was leading nowhere, the Argentine was the only one who dared to tackle, dribble his opponents and avoid sliding tackles. In the 21st minute in one of his many gallops towards the Almería goal supported by Cesc, he lined up his shot to hit the far post and go in, leaving Esteban flying spectacularly to try and stop it without success.

Ghosts of the past appeared when Messi was seen holding his right thigh. The same injury that left him out of action at the end of last season has given a warning sign that spells a rest for the next two weeks at least. He left the game on the half hour and Xavi came on to pick up the pace. Until Barcelona became accustomed to not having Messi on the pitch, Almería began to grow in confidence. Suso was a nuisance along his wing and Rodri was brave and could have scored if it wasn’t for the great Victor Valdés.

After the break, the Andalusian outfit wasn’t the same. Xavi led the match until the end just as he wanted with Cesc Fabregas and Andrés Iniesta his shields. No one was capable of taking the ball away from the Catalan club. Even the defense had a great game. Central defender Marc Bartra played all over the pitch, even as an intrepid striker. Then Adriano made it 2 nil to the Catalans. The winger managed to get on the end of a Cesc Fabregas cross from the left that made its way into the 6 yard box, giving the keeper no chance.